Patentable/Patents/US-11984861
US-11984861

Fast amplitude detector and automatic gain control

PublishedMay 14, 2024
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

An amplitude detector has a phase shifter such as one using an analog differentiator and an adjustable gain stage, or one using a determinable delay, the phase shifter coupled to shift phase of an input signal to the amplitude detection apparatus. The detector also has a first analog multiplier coupled to square the input signal, a second analog multiplier coupled to square output of the phase shifter; and an analog adder coupled to sum outputs of the first and second analog multiplier. An automatic gain control circuit has the amplitude detector coupled to control gain of a controllable amplifier.

Patent Claims
5 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The power conditioning system of claim 1 wherein the reference waveform generator provides the waveform to the amplifier in phase with the AC input upon detection of the voltage dropout on the AC input.

Plain English Translation

A power conditioning system is designed to stabilize electrical power output by compensating for voltage dropouts in an AC input. The system includes a reference waveform generator that produces a waveform synchronized with the AC input. When a voltage dropout is detected, the generator provides this waveform to an amplifier, ensuring the output remains in phase with the original AC input. This synchronization prevents phase disruptions that could affect connected devices. The amplifier then processes the waveform to generate a conditioned output, maintaining stable voltage and frequency. The system may also include a control circuit that monitors the AC input and triggers the waveform generator upon detecting a dropout. The conditioned output is then supplied to a load, ensuring continuous and reliable power delivery. This approach addresses the problem of voltage fluctuations in AC power supplies, which can cause equipment malfunctions or damage. By dynamically adjusting the output waveform, the system mitigates the effects of dropouts, enhancing power quality and system reliability. The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring high-power stability, such as industrial machinery, medical equipment, or data centers.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The power conditioning system of claim 1 configured to respond to a voltage dropout on the AC input within a tenth of a cycle of the AC input.

Plain English Translation

A power conditioning system is designed to stabilize and regulate electrical power from an AC input source, particularly addressing voltage fluctuations and dropouts that can disrupt connected devices. The system includes a power conversion module that converts the AC input into a regulated DC output, ensuring consistent power delivery. A monitoring circuit continuously tracks the AC input voltage, detecting any deviations from nominal levels. When a voltage dropout occurs, the system responds within a tenth of a cycle of the AC input, rapidly compensating to maintain power stability. This rapid response prevents disruptions to sensitive electronics, such as medical equipment, industrial machinery, or data centers, which require uninterrupted power. The system may also include energy storage components, such as capacitors or batteries, to provide temporary power during dropouts until the AC input recovers. The design ensures seamless operation by minimizing downtime and protecting connected devices from voltage instability.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The power conditioning system of claim 1 wherein the phase shifter further comprises an adjustable gain stage, the adjustable gain stage being configured by a processor of the power conditioning system to compensate for frequency dependent gain of the differentiator.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to power conditioning systems, specifically addressing the challenge of compensating for frequency-dependent gain variations in differentiator circuits used within such systems. Power conditioning systems are designed to regulate and stabilize electrical power, often involving signal processing to ensure proper operation of connected devices. A key component in these systems is a phase shifter, which adjusts the phase of electrical signals to optimize performance. The phase shifter includes a differentiator, a circuit element that emphasizes higher-frequency components of a signal. However, differentiators inherently exhibit frequency-dependent gain, meaning their output amplitude varies with input signal frequency, which can degrade system performance. To mitigate this issue, the phase shifter incorporates an adjustable gain stage. This gain stage is dynamically configured by a processor within the power conditioning system to counteract the frequency-dependent gain variations of the differentiator. By adjusting the gain stage in real-time, the system ensures consistent signal amplitude across different frequencies, improving overall stability and accuracy. The processor monitors the system's performance and adjusts the gain stage accordingly, maintaining optimal signal integrity. This solution enhances the reliability of power conditioning systems by compensating for inherent limitations in differentiator circuits, ensuring consistent performance across a wide range of operating conditions.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The electrical impedance imaging apparatus of claim 5 wherein the processor is coupled to control gain of a variable-gain amplifier of the phase shifter of the amplitude detection apparatus of each sense channel.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to electrical impedance imaging systems, which are used to create images of biological tissue by measuring electrical impedance variations. The primary challenge addressed is improving the accuracy and resolution of impedance measurements, particularly in systems with multiple sensing channels. The apparatus includes a phase shifter and an amplitude detection apparatus in each sensing channel. The phase shifter adjusts the phase of a reference signal to match the phase of a detected signal, ensuring precise amplitude measurement. The amplitude detection apparatus then measures the amplitude of the detected signal after phase alignment. A key feature is a processor that controls the gain of a variable-gain amplifier within the phase shifter. By dynamically adjusting the amplifier's gain, the system can optimize signal processing for different impedance levels, improving measurement accuracy. This gain control compensates for variations in signal strength across different tissue types or measurement conditions, ensuring consistent performance. The processor's ability to regulate the amplifier's gain enhances the system's adaptability, allowing it to handle a wide range of impedance values without manual adjustments. This is particularly useful in medical imaging applications where tissue properties vary significantly. The overall result is a more robust and precise electrical impedance imaging system capable of producing high-quality images with improved resolution.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The electrical impedance imaging apparatus of claim 6 wherein the processor controls gain of the variable-gain amplifiers of the phase shifters of the amplitude detection apparatus of the sense channels to compensate for frequency dependence of the phase shifters.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to electrical impedance imaging systems, which are used to create images of internal structures by measuring electrical properties of tissues. A key challenge in such systems is maintaining accurate signal detection across different frequencies, as phase shifters in the sense channels can introduce frequency-dependent variations that distort measurements. The apparatus includes a processor that dynamically adjusts the gain of variable-gain amplifiers in the phase shifters of the sense channels. This compensation mechanism ensures that the phase shifters operate consistently across a range of frequencies, preventing signal distortion and improving the accuracy of impedance measurements. The processor monitors the frequency response of the phase shifters and adjusts the amplifier gains accordingly to counteract any frequency-dependent phase shifts. This allows the system to produce reliable impedance images regardless of frequency variations, enhancing diagnostic precision in medical imaging applications. The invention is particularly useful in systems where phase accuracy is critical, such as in high-resolution impedance tomography or other bioelectrical imaging techniques.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

March 2, 2023

Publication Date

May 14, 2024

Want to explore more patents?

Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.

Citation & reuse

Analysis on this page is generated by Patentable — an AI-powered patent intelligence platform. AI-generated summaries, explanations, FAQs, and analysis may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL below. Patent abstracts and claims are USPTO public domain.

Cite as: Patentable. “Fast amplitude detector and automatic gain control” (US-11984861). https://patentable.app/patents/US-11984861

© 2026 Nomic Interactive Technology LLC. Machine-readable context available at /api/llm-context/US-11984861. See llms.txt for full attribution policy.

Fast amplitude detector and automatic gain control